The second day of the Claro Open Colsanitas kicked off with six of the eight seeded players anticipated to take the red clay courts of Columbia. The eventful day saw rain interrupt play as well as the exit of last year’s champion.
Argentinean Qualifier Sends Defending Champion Packing
Catalina Pella strode onto Campo 1 to contest against the second seeded player, Teliana Pereira. The Brazilian was deemed the heavy favorite as she led the Argentine by 219 WTA ranking spots. Pereira opened up proceeding with a lengthy 6-3 set. But the qualifier relentlessly fought back to level the match to one set apiece. The decisive set saw neither Pella nor Pereira take a two-game advantage until the Argentine consolidated her break to earn the chance to serve for the biggest win of her career.
The 23-year-old squandered her 5-3 lead in the third set when the Brazilian reeled off two consecutive games. But, Pella refused to fall to Pereira for the third time in her career. Two service holds followed, which forced the decisive set to a tiebreaker. The world number 274 displayed zero signs of nerves as she sealed the upset in two hours and 34 minutes.
Americans Tally Two Wins And One Loss
Irina Falconi took on a future WTA rising star in the 15-year-old wild card, Emiliana Arango. The American led her Columbian opposition in every statistic en route to a fairly routine, 6-0, 6-1 victory. Falconi just needed 45 minutes to ensure her place in the second round.
Anna Tatishvili sought redemption over the Turkish teenager, Ipek Soylu. Their last encounter saw the American grasp a set and 5-2 lead, before retiring in the final set. Scar tissue was not evident as the eighth-seeded Tatishvili dug out a 6-4, 6-3 win with receiving help from Soylu’s streaky serve.
The last American in action on day two was Sanaz Marand, who ventured through the qualifying stage of the tournament. The qualifier took Campo 5 to face Sherazad Reix, the world number 233. Reix racked up a straight sets win over Marand to advance to her first career WTA second round.
Europeans Round Off First Round Victors
The sixth seed, Tatjana Maria, fired four aces in her straight forward encounter against Marina Melnikova. The German’s service proved pivotal as she won 77 percent of her first serve points. Her 6-1, 6-3 over the Russian marks as only her fifth win of the season as she hopes to turn around her disappointing season record this week in Columbia.
Rebecca Peterson, Sivia Soler-Espinosa, and Elitsa Kostova cap off the ten winners on day two. Each player pulled out a tight match as their score lines were close in the end. Peterson and Soler-Espinosa will look to turn around their rocky first quarter to the season, but on the other hand Kostova hopes to add to her winning record thus far.
Rain Causes Unfinished Matches
Rain earlier in the day caused matches to be delayed. Two matches were unable to conclude as the one seed, Elina Svitolina, and the seventh seed, Lourdes Dominguez Lino were paused during their first round matchups. The Ukrainian deems the heavy favorite for this event, but her opening set loss to Alexandra Panova possibly could have saw her exit on day two. Svitolina rebounded to take a 5-1 initiative in the second set before play was halted due to darkness. The Spaniard was level at five games apiece with Patricia Maria Tig before darkness cut their match short.
Day Three Action
Day three will conclude opening round play and embark the beginning of the second round as a few players fight for a place in the quarterfinals, as well. Home favorite, Mariana Duque-Marino, and Elina Svitolina will headline the third day’s action.